University of Pennsylvania delivers final framework for regulatory excellence

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Oct. 21, 2015) - The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) is asking Albertans to weigh in on how a world-class report on regulatory excellence can be applied here in Alberta. The University of Pennsylvania's Penn Program on Regulation (PPR) has completed its final report Listening, Learning, and Leading: A Framework for Regulatory Excellence. This framework is the capstone piece of PPR's work on the initiative.

"This has been our goal all along: to show leadership and invest in a model that could be shared with regulators throughout the world and that can be adapted to meet the needs and expectations of Albertans," said Jim Ellis, president and CEO.

The Penn Program on Regulation's report, authored by the PPR's director and Penn Law Professor Cary Coglianese, identifies regulatory excellence as having the attributes of stellar competence, utmost integrity, and empathic engagement. The PPR report also offers five recommendations on becoming a regulator that listens, learns, and leads while stressing that regulatory leaders must be strategic about measurement and demonstrate how the actions of the regulator are directly related to achieving outcomes.

"Now that the final framework is complete, the AER is assessing what these concepts mean for Albertans and how the AER-together with Albertans-will build a model that works for our province," Ellis added. "For the AER, excellence is the means that creates what Albertans expect and deserve: a strong, fair, transparent, and inclusive regulator that delivers measureable results."

Over the next few weeks, the AER is engaging Albertans and stakeholders to test the AER's assessment of the report and develop a made-in-Alberta version of this framework for regulatory excellence. Albertans are encouraged to share their thoughts as part of a province-wide conversation at talk.aer.ca

Launched in fall 2014, the initiative delivered six core research papers, more than fifteen expert papers, and an interim report that generated international discussions on this notion of regulatory excellence. In addition, First Nations, Métis, and Alberta stakeholder dialogues were held in Alberta this past spring.

Copies of the final report and the online engagement survey can be found at talk.aer.ca .

The Alberta Energy Regulator ensures the safe, efficient, orderly, and environmentally responsible development of hydrocarbon resources over their entire life cycle. This includes allocating and conserving water resources, managing public lands, and protecting the environment while providing economic benefits for all Albertans. The AER's vision is to become a best-in-class regulator-one that is protective, effective, efficient, and credible.

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The Alberta Energy Regulator is asking Albertans to weigh in on how a world-class report on regulatory excellence can be applied here in Alberta. The University of Pennsylvania's Penn Program on Regulation has released its final report that sets out the attributes and actions of an excellent regulator. AER CEO Jim Ellis welcomed the findings of the report, stating that the initiative is about improving the work of the province`s single energy regulator and building strong relationships with First Nations, Métis, and other stakeholders.